Christmas for two?

Kayteehee

Due to our families not being around at Christmas, my partner and I are having Christmas just the two of us. We are young and a bit worried that it will loose all the atmosphere and we'll just end up on Facebook feeling sorry for ourselves... which we don't want to do! Added to this - my partner has never celebrated Christmas before due to being from a completely different culture, but is very excited about it! Want it to be a proper British christmas with a good atmosphere.

We also don't have much money and want to know what is the best way to get our Christmas dinner in without breaking the bank or wasting loads of food, seen as there are two of us we can't bulk buy so wondering if anyone had any ideas?

We are both vegetarian so were thinking the Quorn Roast or maybe nut cutlets... maybe even some little veggie sausages instead of pigs in blankets. We've already got a Xmas Pud from last year - it went out of date in September - What do you guys think about it being ok? It's alcohol free so that prob makes a difference!

We are going to decorate our flat at the beginning of December and i've bought napkins etc.. for our meal - but does anyone know where we can just get two crackers?! Christmas seems to be really geared towards families of course and it seems a bit miserable just doing it for two... could be worse I know... I am grateful we have each other.

Also we would like to know activities we could do together in the afternoon to make it more of a special day than just being us in the flat which we do most nights. Thinking something along the lines of going for a nice walk on the beach...but then evening activities? Any ideas folks? We wanted to volunteer somewhere for a few hours but can't find anywhere in the Newcastle area.

I know all of you guys are lovely so hopefully you can come up with some ideas to help us have a good day. :beer:

heretolearn_2

I love Christmas for two! It's different, but still good. Def. still go to the effort of decorating and making it special.

We have a nice 'treat' brekkie in bed, have a mad pressie opening time, and a good lay in, which is a nice change for us anyway without the prezzie bit. Then all day we just relax, watch Xmas tv, eat, 'play' with our pressies (i'veusually got a good new book) most of the time. We do go for walk after dinner to get a bit of air and it's nice, a wee stomp round a frosty country park or something. Evening we quite often visit friends or have friends to visit.

Alison_B

If you are bothered about being just the 2 of you, why not see if there are any elderly neighbours that are alone and that you could invite for dinner?

supersunshine

One of my best Christmas's was with just me and my hubby when we were younger (we have kiddies now). We woke up, went out for lunch (but having lunch in can be just as nice), sat in and watched some films together and just completely chilled out and cuddled up all snuggly on the sofa.

Going for a walk is lovely as there are a lot of families who do that so you will bump into people. Can you pop to the pub for a drink if you are worried about atmosphere?

Have a fab day chilling out and enjoying each others company :-)

Kayteehee

Hello and thanks for your responses.

We are not really bothered about dinner just being the two of us - just the fact it's all day with the two of us and no family or friends to visit, so wanted to come up with an idea for something else to do either with other people or together. As my partner normally goes home to family abroad. Even though this will be our third christmas "together" it's actually our first.

We both live in the city we originally went to university in and all of our friends will be going 'home' to their families. We live in a block of flats with many professionals and couples - and no elderly neighbours.

Sorry if I didn't explain things very well to start with :-)

Rubynewshoes

Alison_B wrote: »

If you are bothered about being just the 2 of you, why not see if there are any elderly neighbours that are alone and that you could invite for dinner?

This is a lovely idea and would probably make someone's day.

If you want a big British Christmas, why don't you get wrapped up on xmas eve and go out caroling (sp)? Hardly anybody does this anymore! You could go round all your neighbours and maybe take them some homemade mincepies and sing them a carol! I know it sounds a bit daft but I bet'd be a real giggle.

Hope you have a lovely day, whatever you end up doing

EmptyPockets

Oh my Gosh, Christmas for two is so fantastic - my husband and I have been doing it for 11 years now, and we are as excited this year as we were the first year!

We have a bit of a lie in (we're up at 5am every day so Christmas we'll lie-in 'till about 8am). We'll come down in our PJs and have some breakfast together, then sit and exchange gifts with a Christmas CD on

Then it's all the favourite Christmas films on TV while we kick back and relax. Normally I do dinner, but this year DH has told me he's cooking :T

In the afternoon it is lovely to go out for a walk in one of the nearby parks, and in the evening we'll sit and play silly games like Monopoly, scrabble, or Trivial Pursuit, whilst getting a little tipsy of course

And then there's the 'other' games that only the two of you can play, to fill a few hours and keep warm... ;)

Tamster150

Hmm

The only thing I could thing to add is maybe go to church?

am a (lapsed) Catholic so will be going to my local RC church on Christmas Day but on Christmas Eve we will be going to an Evangalistic Church for carols and they have a little "do" afterwards (lots of goodies to eat ) Everyone there is so friendly it doesn't matter that we never go there the rest of the year. The singing is AMAZING even if you are not religious you will have a great time. I find the Evangalistic Church much more inviting than my "own" church! The local paper usually has a list of Church Services over Christmas.

sue2010

Hello,
Why not volunteer to help at an OAP day centre, many of these open up on Xmas day to provide the elderly (who would be home alone) with a nice dinner and some company and entertainment. You sound like you need to enjoy a good old-fashioned knees-up, might be just the place to find it! And I am sure they will be very glad of some extra hands to help out.
HTH
Sue

Gingerbiscuit_2

Crackers can be got very cheaply if you just want the effect even my poundland sells. I got some for myself so had 2 on xmas day, 2 on boxing day and 2 on news years day. Helped alittle towards the christmas feel when your on your own.

I know my local surgery, community etc often advertises events for eldery people at xmas they may appreciate some help or even with transport im guessing eldery people may feel safer if a couple than a single person.

caitlyn22

Kayteehee wrote: »

We wanted to volunteer somewhere for a few hours but can't find anywhere in the Newcastle area.

Google 'People's Kitchen' - they're fab and are doing an outreach session from Eldon Square on Christmas Day where they might be able to use your help and support.

Me and OH had a Christmas alone together a couple of years ago and it was odd but perfectly relaxing! Don't focus too much on things to do, I got a bit obsessed with trying to make sure it wasn't just like 'another day' but it isn't - it's Christmas Day, so even if you're just lazing around doing what you always do, it still feels special! Make sure you make a list of what foods/treats will 'make' Christmas for you, so you don't go mad buying lots of stuff just because it's what's expected at Christmas. For me I have to make sure there's some nice chocolates in and a cheapish bottle of bucks fizz! It sounds a bit silly but we quite like doing jigsaws together when the dark nights draw in - we have a big table and it's right next to the fire so I think it's just because it feels cosy and we listen to all of our favourite music - we each take a turn to pick a song. That, with a mug of hot chocolate, it still one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon!

I'm veggie too and the Quorn Roast is great as you can slice it and eat cold, makes me feel good as I always missed out when everyone else was tucking in to turkey sandwiches later! Most of the supermarkets do nice brie and cranberry parcels in filo pastry in their party food sections - they freeze too so don't have to eat all at once and there's often offers on once you get in to December.

Not sure what part of the city you're in but Jesmond Dene is nice for a wander, and if you drive, then Tynemouth would be perfect for a (chilly!) walk by the sea.

You can pick up boxes of crackers really cheap now. I searched online for a cracker template and even though I couldn't find one that printed at the right size I used it to draw my own. They've worked quite nicely and I've popped in a far nicer present than you'd get in a bought cracker! If you want, PM me your address and I'll pop some hats and the snaps in the post to you as I had lots spare.